GOALKEEPER Max Harris is confident that he can make the step up and soon challenge for the number one spot at Hereford.

The 17-year-old excelled on loan at Pegasus Juniors last season and represented England Colleges and England Schools.

He made his first league start for Hereford against Barnstaple in April and was retained by manager Pete Beadle.

Hereford currently have two keepers on their books after Alex Harris left the club to join Gloucester City.

“Hopefully I will push Martin Horsell, which is always the aim,” said Harris.

“At this age, I need to keep developing and have one eye on Horse and get as much men’s football games as I can.

“It was a good season for me, but there’s no point dwelling on it, I need to kick on again this season.

“The Southern Premier is definitely a new challenge with bigger teams than we’ve faced before, but it will be a challenge for everyone.”

Harris added that departing keeper Alex Harris played a key part in his development.

“He was brilliant with me and really worked on my game and encouraged me,” said Harris.

“It’s a new challenge for him, but I wish him all the best and hope it works out well for him at Gloucester.”

Beadle said that, although Harris has got a lot of potential, he is not quite ready to challenge Horsell and is on the lookout for a new keeper.

“Max will find last season hard to replicate after featuring for two different England Schools teams and having 20 odd competitive games for Pegasus and winning a competition at Hartpury, but he has developed so much,” said Beadle.

“He’s got bigger and stronger and I have a huge amount of faith in him and he has the potential to be a top keeper.

“Big clubs could eventually come in for him because he’s still only 17.

“We need to be very careful how we manage him because he’s a phenomenal keeper.”

Beadle added that he was disappointed to lose Alex Harris, but undersdtands why he wanted to move on.

"I would never stand in anyone's way," said Beadle.

"I was disappointed that Alex decided to leave, byt understand the reason why.

"He is an excellent keeper who wants to test himself at a higher level."